A walk in the Wood

A walk in the Wood

November 16, 2014  

Early this morning, when I leave my apartment and enter into the wood, the sun is half hidden behind clouds.  The unseasonal cold temperature keeps most people indoor, so I have this “wilderness” all by myself.   It is pleasant sitting by the creek watching the leaves – now rusting into brown – go drifting by. After rain in the night, the path is covered with soggy leaves.  The moist air is laden with the scent of gentle decay.  In the still woods of November, I saunter aimlessly and recognize plants that I stopped besides when they were green, and when they were in bloom.  The plants of summer, now dead and dry, mingle in their varied shades of yellow and brown.  In walking among them, I sometimes envy the simplicity of their lives.  Without straining, without aspiring to more than they can achieve, they grow and bloom and form their seeds.  They seem to be contented with their life cycle completed.  I hope when my time to retire, I can feel the same way, nothing to regret, nothing to desire.

The wood is splendid with fall colors.   I do not need to travel far to witness the New England autumn foliage.  Surrounded by the golden forest and scarlet bushes, I follow the trail and reach my favorite spot; the Carlin spring.    The mirror of the spring water reflects, amid floating fallen leaves, the image of trees growing bare as autumn advances.    It is peaceful here.  Nathaniel Hawthorne once said, “I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house”.  I understand exactly what he meant.

Three hours later when I emerge from the wood, the sky opens up.  The sun peeks through clouds.  As usual, every walk in the wood, I rejuvenate; gain back the energy that I need to face more challenges from life.

A walk in the wood, it is a good thing!